Disclaimer: I don't own these characters, yada yada yada...I just manipulate them for my enjoyment purposes.

Ok, since I didn't get any reviews on the last chapter, I am assuming that it wasn't that great. (sigh) I'll try to do better this time around. (gets down on her knees and begs) Please review this time! I get writer's block when you don't/cry

Malachite: Aww, don't cry, Mistress. I still love you...

Me: (sniff)

Mina was awake a few minutes before she opened her eyes. She could still feel Malachite's arm draped over her waist. It was a comforting feeling. She slowly opened her eyes, Malachite coming into view. She blushed when she noticed Malachite watching her.

She rolled out of his grasp and away from his lingering stare. It made her uneasy after the events of the previous night. She wasn't sure about anything anymore. She only knew that Malachite wanted a toy to play with and it seemed that she was to be it. She sighed, knowing that it made it worse when she wanted him to be with her.

"Thank you," she whispered. "You can leave now."

Mina felt his weight lift off the bed and heard his boots pounding on her floor before hearing her door slamming closed. She knew that she had inadverdantly pissed him off again, but there was nothing she could do about that.

Mina slipped out from under the covers, looking down to see she still had on her ballgown. She slipped it off over her shoulders and let it drop to the floor as she walked into her bathroom. She turned the hot water on all the way up and closed the bathroom door, letting the steam permeate the room. Turning on a little cold water, she stepped into the shower.

Mina let the hot water flow over her body, washing away all the dirt, washing away the feeling of Marron's hands on her. The tears started pouring out of her eyes again. She turned and punched the wall, pissed at herself for being so weak. Standing still long enough for the tears to stop, she backed up so her hair would fall under the water. She leaned back, soaking her long golden locks and letting the water run over her face. After she washed her hair, she scrubbed her body thoroughly. Where she could remember Marron's hands, she scrubbed until she thought she would cry out in pain. She just couldn't get his touch off her skin no matter what she did.

As the hot water began to run out, Mina turned it off and stepped out of the shower. She dried herself off and wrapped a towel around her still slightly damp body.

Malachite was pissed at Mina's dismissal and decided that enough was enough. He stormed back to her room, slamming open the door. He expected Mina to still be in bed, what he didn't expect was to see her standing in the middle of her room, wearing nothing but a towel, her body still damp. He felt his body beginning to react to the sight of her. With a low growl, he pushed aside his swirling passion and focused on his anger.

"Do you enjoy messing with my head, Mina? Is it fun to watch me squirm as you reject me time and time again after you let me think you want me?"

Mina raised an eyebrow at him. "Excuse me?" came her icy reply.

"You confuse the hell out of me and then act like it was nothing. You play with me like a damned toy!"

"Malachite, you discarded me first, so I would keep your self righteous anger to yourself! I gave myself to you and you obviously didn't want it, so screw you!"

"Damnit Mina, I tried to make it right!"

"Well maybe you tried a little too late," she said lowly, her gaze piercing through his heart.

"If you would but let me prove myself aga-"

"I don't think so, Malachite," Mina heard herself say. "I am not going to be hurt by you again." She looked at him, the passion burning insided her. Why was she doing this? He was the only man that she truly wanted and she was telling him no. I'll tell you why. Because he'll just use you for what he wants and toss you to the side again. Mina scowled, knowing the voice inside her head was right. But then her mind wandered to his hands caressing her skin, his mouth pressed against hers, his body-Ahem!

"Mina, let me-"

"Goodbye Malachite." Mina watched as the red faced General turned on his heel and stormed out of her room, slamming the door behind him. Mina couldn't help but smile, then burst into laughter. If anyone else slams that door, it's gonna fall off its hinges!

Malachite slowed his pace as he reached the end of the hallway. That damnedable woman was so frustrating, in more ways than one. Turning down the hallway to his room, he headed to take a cold shower...and it would be a loooong cold shower. Damn that woman!